Ontario Providing More Support to Communities during COVID-19

August 16, 2021

Dufferin-Caledon: MPP Sylvia Jones is pleased to announce that the Ontario government is providing more than $13 million to service managers in the County of Dufferin and Region of Peel, to deliver critical services, create longer-term housing solutions and keep vulnerable people safe.

Additional funding allocation is:

Region of Peel:   $12,921,700

Dufferin County:  $858,500

“Our government is continuing to respond to the ongoing needs of our community by providing flexible funding to keep our vulnerable citizens safe,” said Jones. “We know that COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of having supports available for those who need help, and this funding will help our social services agencies continue providing essential support.”

Today’s announcement is part of the province’s additional $307 million investment to help municipalities and Indigenous community partners respond to COVID-19. This investment builds upon the $765 million dollars of Social Services Relief Funding (SSRF) announced in 2020- 2021, for a total support to communities of over $1 billion.

“Municipalities have been on the frontlines of Ontario’s pandemic response and vaccine rollout, while continuing to protect our most vulnerable populations, including homeless populations,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government is committed to ensuring municipalities have the resources they need to keep their communities safe, and today’s funding will help our local partners deliver critical services, support vulnerable people, and unlock affordable housing in their communities.”

“Continued support from the provincial government is truly a lifeline for organizations like Caledon Community Services to maintain and expand essential services that support those who need it most in our communities. This funding creates opportunities for Caledon residents hardest hit by the pandemic to care for themselves and their families,” said Monty Laskin, Caledon Community Services CEO.

“We are grateful to receive additional funding to better support the most vulnerable members of our community. This allows us to improve assistance to those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity,” said Dufferin County CAO Sonya Pritchard, “Dufferin County is committed to working with our provincial and community partners to support our communities as we continue to work through the COVID pandemic.”

Municipalities and Indigenous community partners can use the funding to protect homeless shelter staff and residents, add to rent banks, build affordable housing, and support plans to prepare for potential future outbreaks and/or emergencies.

QUICK FACTS

  • Ontario launched the Social Services Relief Fund in March 2020 to help protect the health and safety of the province’s most vulnerable people during COVID-19.
  • Today’s province-wide investment includes $21 million of funding under the previously announced Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) that is being allocated to help support community housing.
  • As part of its Community Housing Renewal Strategy and response to COVID-19, Ontario is investing approximately $1.3 billion in 2021-2022 to help sustain, repair and grow community housing and help end homelessness. This includes the Social Services Relief Fund.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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